THOUGH often a day for jokes, April 1 will be one date that all Queensland football fans earnestly put in their diary following the release of the 2023 Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) fixture. Saturday, April 1 marks the first day of the new season, with all six matches taking place across the state as the 12 QAFL clubs begin at square one on their road to glory. Across the course of a 21-round season, each team will play 18 matches.
Reigning champions Aspley will hoist the premiership flag in front of a home crowd at Aspley Oval against the side upset in last year’s decider – Broadbeach. The Cats will be out to seek revenge and spoil the party early, with a Round 2 bye for 10 of the 12 clubs meaning teams can ease into the season.
Both the Tigers and Gorillas will play the first five rounds, before having a Round 6 bye. In the first two months of the season, the QAFL hosts an ANZAC Round where the 12 teams will honour the ANZACs on Saturday, April 22. The other major rounds include Sir Doug Nicholls Round in both Rounds 8 and 9 – to allow for each team to have a home match – and then Pride Round in Round 16.
Heading into the last month of the regular season, the teams have another bye in either Round 18 or Round 19, where just three matches are played on each weekend. A final fortnight of action concludes the regular season after that, prior to finals. The one league-enforced bye will come on July 1 when Queensland hosts Tasmania in representative action down on the Apple Isle.
Queensland Competitions Manager Mitch Simpson said he was looking forward to another blockbuster season.
“During the off season we’ve seen some huge signings and marquee recruits which is bound to elevate the level of the competition once again” he said.
Simpson said the marquee matches and themed rounds would make for some fantastic footy in 2023.
“As the profile of the QAFL continues to rise, we’re anticipating a far greater following and support of the 2023 season and encourage everyone to get down in person to check out the blockbuster matches firsthand this year” he said.
The QAFL Women’s fixture is expected to be announced in the near future.
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